Champagne Tour

In 2019, the itinerary will be 11 days. Please ask us for details.

Epernay to Paris

Day 1: Epernay
Day 2: Epernay - Cumiere - Epernay,  16 mi. (25 km)
Day 3: Epernay– Dormans – Château-Thierry, 19 - 35 mi.  (30 - 50 km)
Day 4: Château-Thierry – La-Ferté-sous-Jouarre, 32 mi. (50 km)
Day 5: La Ferté-sous-Jouarre – Meaux, 22 or 25 mi. (35 or 40 km)
Day 6: Meaux – Lagny-sur-Marne, 21 mi. (35 km)
Day 7: Free day in Paris 
Day 8: Paris

Day 1: Embarkation in Epernay
In the afternoon, embarkation and check-in at 2PM. Welcome by the captain, crew, and tour leader. Dinner on board. First briefing about the barge, bicycles and tour program.

Day 2: Epernay, round tour, 16 mi. (25 km) | afternoon: visit Epernay and Champagne houses
The first half day’s bike tour takes you along the quiet canal parallel to the Marne river to Ay and Mareuil-sur-Ay. Return via Dizy to visit Hautvillers. After a somewhat challenging first ascent of the slopes and through the vineyards (cyclists can test their shape and muscles for the first time) you will reach this picturesque village of Champagne wine growers on the southern slopes of the Montagne de Reims. One of today's highlights is a visit of the chapel with the tomb of the monk Dom Pérignon.  According to tradition, Dom Pérignon (1638-1715), who was in charge of the wine cellars of the abbey of Benedictine monks, was the first to succeed in blending various kinds of wine into a wine of superb quality. Double fermentation, characteristic for the making of champagne, was introduced also by him. You cycle back to Epernay and after lunch, visit the center of Epernay. Together with Reims, Epernay is the major wine center of the Champagne region, where three extensive wine regions meet: the Montagne the Reims, the Côte des Blancs and the Vallée de la Marne. Epernay has many town houses dating in neo-renaissance style or classical style dating from the 19th century, especially around the beautiful Avenue the Champagne where prestigious champagne houses such as Moët & Chandon are situated. Champagne tasting and tour in a Champagne house on the famous Avenue de Champagne.

Day 3: Epernay – Dormans – Château-Thierry, 19 - 35 mi.  (30 - 50 km)
Start the first full day cycling tour along the canal and Marne river. You will see the Château de Boursault, a large castle built in 1848 by the widow of Mr. Cliquot, who gave her name (Veuve Cliquot) to a famous Champagne wine. A ride up the northern valley slope to the village of Châtillon-sur-Marne rewards the cyclist with a stunning panoramic view over the Marne valley and the Champagne vineyards. Today you leave the official Champagne area. Cycle along the Marne river (or cruise) to Dormans, a quiet village on the Marne with a castle and chapel in memory of the battle of the Marne. During World War I this area was the scene of close battles. Dinner on board and night in Epernay. Today’s destination is Château-Thierrry, that  owes its name to the castle that once was situated on the slopes above the Marne. The town was the site of the Battle of 1814 in the Napoleonic Wars between France and Prussia and of 1918 in World War I. Château-Thierry is also known as the native town of the world-famous writer of fables Jean de la Fontaine. You may opt to do the shorter bike tour beginning in Dormans.

Day 4: Château-Thierry – La-Ferté-sous-Jouarre, 32 mi. (50 km)
Enjoy a somewhat challenging bike tour from Château-Thierry to La-Ferté-sous-Jouarre . The first part of the cycling tour leads you along the Marne river. After a few miles you will take a small side valley and follow country roads through various small villages and hamlets. En route you can visit the large WWI American War Cemetery and Monument near Belleau. Follow the small river Clignon and continue riding uphill until you finally reach the plateau above the northern part of the Marne valley. The side valleys are mainly covered with forest, on the plateau agriculture is predominant. Start your descent along the small river Ru de Bouillons to reach La-Ferté-sous-Jouarre, where you meet the barge. An easier and shorter cycling option leads along the river through the valley. Overnight in La-Ferté-sous-Jouarre or one of the villages nearby.

Day 5: La Ferté-sous-Jouarre – Meaux, 22 or 25 mi. (35 or 40 km)
After breakfast you will start your cycling tour that will lead you over the hills and slopes of the Marne valley and through forests and small villages on the southern and northern banks of the river. After just a few miles you will enjoy a presentation and tasting of the famous Brie de Meaux and Brie noir cheeses (included). On the way you may visit the Château de Montceau, the building of which was started by Catherine de Médicis in the 16th century. Today’s destination is the city of Meaux, famous for its “Brie de Meaux” cheeses and the magnificent Cathedral St.-Etienne. Visit the historical city center of Meaux. Dinner on board and night in Meaux.

Day 6: Meaux – Lagny-sur-Marne, 21 mi. (35 km)
Visit the beautiful city center of Meaux. Then you can take your bicycle for a last ride, mainly along the Marne river and its parallel canal. Last challenge is the hill near Chalifert. The barge will take the tunnel through this hill, but cyclists have to ride up to take the hill by bicycle. In the afternoon you will meet the barge in Lagny-sur-Marne, where you will stay for the night.

Day 7: Free day in Paris 
After breakfast you will leave the ship and enjoy a full day guided excursion to many highlights of Paris. Take the regional train (30 min.) to Paris and visit some of the highlights that the “City of Light” has to offer. To mention just a few: the Eifel Tower, the Sacre Coeur in Montmartre, the Notre Dame cathedral, the Louvre museum, the Arc de Triomphe, the  Centre Pompidou and the  Musée d’Orsay. Your tour guide will take you by public transportation (day ticket not included) from the barge to the center of Paris and on some walking tours. For safety reasons, no cycling tour in Paris is planned.

Day 8: Disembarkation in Paris
Disembarkation after breakfast by 9 AM.

Paris to Epernay
Day 1: Arrival in Paris
Day 2: Paris - Lagny-sur-Marne, 21 mi. (35 km)
Day 3: Lagny-sur-Marne - Meaux, 21 miles (35 km)
Day 4: Meaux – La Ferté-sous-jouarre, 22 or 25 miles (35 or  40 km)
Day 5: La-Ferté-sous-Jouarre – Château-Thierry, 32 miles (50 km)
Day 6: Château-Thierry – Dormans – Epernay, 19 or 35 miles (30 or 50 km)
Day 7: Epernay round tour, 10 or 16 mi. (17 or 25 km); visit Epernay and Champagne houses
Day 8: Departure from Epernay

*All distances are “approximate distances” of recommended bike tours. If you do not feel like cycling one or more days, you can always relax on board while cruising to the next town. Program and details barring changes, a.o. as a result of nautical, technical or meteorological reasons. If there are 18 or more booked, two tour guides will be riding and on certain days can offer a longer or shorter itinerary.

Day 1: Arrival in Paris
Embarkation and check-in at 2 p.m. at the Quai de Bercy on the Seine river in Paris. After a welcome by the captain, crew and tour leader there is time for a walking tour through Paris. After dinner on board there is a first briefing about the barge, bicycles and tour program.

Day 2:  Paris - Lagny-sur-Marne, 21 mi. (35 km)
You leave Paris by bike via the canal de l’Ourcq. A bike path leads from the place the la Bastille (close to the mooring place of the Zwaantje), via the basin of la Vilette to the banks of the l’Ourcq. This canal was built by order of Napoleon Bonaparte. The canal provided the city with water and played an important role in the transportation of goods to and from the city. Destination of today is Lagny, a nice little town along the Marne.

Day 3: Lagny-sur-Marne - Meaux, 12 or 22 mi. (20 or 37 km)
In Lagny-sur-Marne, you ride, mainly along the Marne river and its parallel canal. In case you opt for the short ride, the first challenge is the hill near Chalifert. The barge will take the tunnel through the hill, but cyclists can test their fitness and muscles for the first time by climbing and crossing the hill by bicycle. Also on the longer option the first part is quite hilly, because you have to leave the valley of the Marne. Later you will follow the small Canal de l’Ourq that was built by Napoleon to transport wood, grain and fresh water to Paris. Today’s destination is the city of Meaux, famous for its “Brie de Meaux” cheeses and the magnificent Cathedral St.-Etienne. Night in Meaux.

Day 4: Meaux – La Ferté-sous-jouarre, 22 or 25 miles (35 or 40 km)
There are a few cycling options today. The shorter option will lead you over the hills and slopes of the Marne valley on the south bank of the river through forests and small villages. The longer option stays in the valley of the river in the morning with a ride through Trilport and Lizy-surOurcq. Later you will have to climb a few challenging hills, leaving the valley in the direction of Jouarre. In Jouarre, all cyclists can enjoy a very nice presentation and tasting of the famous Brie de Meaux and Brie noir cheeses at the family-run Fromagerie Ganot. Dinner on board and night in La-Ferté-sous-Jouarre or a village nearby.

Day 5: La-Ferté-sous-Jouarre – Château-Thierry, 32 miles (50 km)
Enjoy a somewhat challenging cycling tour from La-Ferté-sous-Jouarre to Château-Thierry. The first part of the cycling track leads you along the Marne river. After a few miles you will take a side valley and follow country roads through various small villages and hamlets. Continue riding uphill until you finally reach the plateau above the northern part of the Marne valley. The side valleys are mainly covered with forest, on the plateau agriculture is predominant. Follow the valley of the small river Clignon. En route you can visit the large WW1 American War Cemetery and Monument near Belleau on the D82. Start your descent to reach Château-Thierry. Dinner on board and night in Château-Thierry. Château-Thierry owes its name to the castle that once was situated on the slopes above the Marne. You can still see some remnants. The town was the site of two important battles: the Battle of 1814 in the Napoleonic Wars between France and Prussia and the Battle of 1918 at the end of World War I. Château-Thierry is also known as the native town of the world-famous writer of fables Jean de la Fontaine.

Day 6: Château-Thierry – Dormans – Epernay, 19 or 35 miles (30 or 50 km)
During breakfast the ship will take us to the lock of Mont St. Pierre or even a bit further upstream to Dormans. Today we will enter the official Champagne area. Dormans is a quiet village on the Marne with a castle and chapel in memory of the battle of the Marne. During World War I this area was the scene of intense battles. A ride up the northern valley slope to the village of Châtillon-surMarne rewards the cyclist with a stunning panoramic view over the Marne valley and the Champagne vineyards. During the cycling tour you will see the Château de Boursault, a large castle built in 1848 by the widow of Mr. Cliquot, who gave her name (“Veuve Cliquot”) to a famous Champagne wine. Dinner on board and night in Epernay.

Day 7:  Epernay round tour, 10 or 16 mi. (17 or 25 km)
The last half day’s cycling tour takes you along the quiet canal parallel to the Marne river to Ay and Mareuil-sur-Ay. Return via Dizy to visit Hautvillers. After a somewhat challenging ascent you will reach this picturesque village of Champagne wine growers on the southern slopes of the Montagne de Reims. Highlight is a visit of the chapel with the tomb of the monk Dom Pérignon (1638-1715). In charge of the wine cellars of a Benedictine abbey, Dom Pérignon pioneered a number of winemaking techniques, being the first to blend grapes in such a way as to improve regional wines into a wine of superb quality. Double fermentation, characteristic for the making of champagne, was introduced also by him. Return cycling to Epernay. After lunch, visit the center of Epernay. Together with Reims, Epernay is the major wine center of the Champagne region, where three extensive wine regions meet: the Montagne de Reims, the Côte des Blancs and the Vallée de la Marne. Epernay has many town houses dating in neo-renaissance style or classical style dating from the 19th century, especially around the beautiful Avenue the Champagne where prestigious champagne houses, such as Moët & Chandon and Mercier, are situated. Enjoy a Champagne tasting and take a tour in one of the major Champagne houses.

Day 8: Departure from Epernay
Disembarkation after breakfast by 9:30 AM.

Epernay to Paris
Day 1: Arrival in Epernay. Boarding at 2 pm
Day 2: Epernay round tour, 10 or 16 mi. (17 or 25 km)
Day 3: Epernay - Dormans - Château-Thierry, 19 or  35 miles (30 or 50 km)
Day 4: Château-Thierry - La-Ferté-sous-Jouarre, 26 miles (42 km)
Day 5: La-Ferté-sous-Jouarre – Meaux,  18 or 32 mi.  (30 or 52 km)
Day 6: Meaux - Lagny-sur-Marne, 12 or 21 mi. (20 or 37  km) 
Day 7: Lagnyo-sur-Marne - Paris, 21 mi. (36 km)
Day 8: Departure from Paris